Mounting a chair with complete dignity, he lifted a glass of wine high in
the air, and, when all the other glasses had been filled, proposed the
health of his young hostess. He made a speech of some length, pronouncing
himself quite as hopelessly in love with his old friend's daughter as all
could see his own son was; and wishing her long life and prosperity, with
many allusions to fragrant bowers and the Muses.

It made Miss Betty happy, but it was rather trying, too, for she could
only stand with downcast eyes before them all, trembling a little, and
receiving a mixed impression of Mr. Chenoweth's remarks, catching
fragments here and there: "And may the blush upon that gentle cheek,
lovelier than the radiant clouds at set of sun," and "Yet the sands of the
hour-glass must fall, and in the calm and beauteous old age some day to be
her lot, when fond mem'ry leads her back to view again the brilliant scene
about her now, where stand `fair women and brave men,' winecup in hand to
do her honor, oh, may she wipe the silent tear", and the like. As the old
gentleman finished, and before the toast was drunk, Fanchon Bareaud,
kissing her hand to Betty, took up the song again; and they all joined in,
lifting their glasses to the blushing and happy girl clinging to her
father's arm:

"Thou wouldst still be adored as this moment thou art,
Let thy loveliness fade as it will;
And around the dear ruin, each wish of my heart,
Would entwine itself verdantly still."

They were happy people who had not learned to be self-conscious enough to
fear doing a pretty thing openly without mocking themselves for it; and it
was a brave circle they made about Betty Carewe, the charming faces of the
women and their fine furbelows, handsome men and tall, all so gay, so